Bar clamp assembly
A bar clamp assembly configured to be secured to a structure through a fastener includes a bar clamp, a securing base, and a fastener retention member. The securing base may be integrally formed with the bar clamp, and is configured to receive and retain the fastener. The fastener retention member is within or on the securing base, and is configured to secure the fastener in the securing base. The bar clamp assembly may also include a plurality of braces, clips and other support structures between the bar clamp and the securing base in order to provide a more robust assembly.
This application relates to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/740,465 entitled “Bar Clamp With Captured Fasteners,” filed Nov. 29, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONEmbodiments of the present invention generally relate to clamps, and more particularly to improved bar clamps that may be used in automobile applications to secure a stabilizer bar to a frame.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONBar clamps are used to secure bars, rods, or the like to another structure. For example, bar clamps may be used to secure a stabilizer bar within an automobile to an internal frame.
In order to secure a bar 18 to a structure, a bar bushing 20 is positioned within the bar retention area 16. The bar bushing 20 comprises a bar retention channel 22, into which the bar 18 is positioned. The bar clamp assembly 10 and the bar bushing 20 are positioned on a structure 24.
In order to secure the bar clamp assembly 10, and the bar 18, to the structure, fasteners (not shown in
Because the holes 26 are circular, with no retaining structures therein, the fasteners may slide or otherwise move through the holes 26 (or the holes 26 may move over the fasteners), even after the bar clamp assembly 10 has been secured to the structure 24. If, for example, the structure vibrates or resonates, the force produced by the vibration or resonation may cause the bar clamp 12 to dislodge from the structure 24. As such, the fasteners within the holes 26 may be inadvertently loosened within the holes, thereby causing further insecure clamping.
Thus, a need exists for a robust and sturdy bar clamp assembly that does not include weakened areas, such as welded areas, which are susceptible to warping, bending, or breaking due to heat and/or pressure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONCertain embodiments of the present invention provide a bar clamp assembly configured to be secured to a structure through a fastener. The bar clamp assembly may include a bar clamp, a securing base, and a fastener retention member.
The securing base may be integrally formed with the bar clamp, and configured to receive and retain the fastener. The fastener retention member may be on and/or within the securing base, and is configured to secure the fastener in the securing base.
The securing base may include a fastener tube extending therefrom. The fastener tube defines a fastener through-channel. The fastener retention member extends into the fastener through-channel, and the fastener is securely retained within the fastener through channel by the fastener retention member exerting a gripping force into the fastener.
The bar clamp and the fastener tube may be extruded from a single piece of material, wherein a portion of the single piece of material is rolled to form the fastener tube. Optionally, the fastener tube may be woven together through interlocking members, such as interlocking or intermeshing half-tubes. Additionally, the fastener tube includes a tube shaft that may be tapered and/or crimped in order to engage a surface of a fastener shaft.
Alternatively, the securing base may include a flat fastener strap integrally formed with the bar clamp. The flat fastener strap defines a fastener through-hole, and the fastener retention member extends into the fastener through-hole.
The fastener retention member may include an inwardly-directed protrusion(s), lobe(s), oval passage(s), and/or a canted member(s), such as a tab, barb, clasp, or other such protrusion.
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a bar clamp assembly that includes at least one support member positioned between the securing base and the bar clamp. The support member is configured to prevent stress fatigue between the bar clamp and the securing base.
The support member may be an angled brace integrally formed between the bar clamp and the securing base. The support member may include a support washer mounted over the securing base and abutting the bar clamp.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The bar clamp 40 is a C- or U-shaped bar clamp that may integrally join to the fastener straps 42 at straight edges 46. The straight-edges 46 may be right angles. The straight edges 46 provide a rigid joint between the bar strap 40 and the fastener straps 42 and are less susceptible to bending than smooth, curved joints. Alternatively, the bar clamp 40 may join to the fastener straps 42 through curved or smooth joints.
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The fastener tubes 94 include fastener through-channels 96 configured to receive fasteners 98, such as a screw. The fastener tubes 94 may include fastener retention members within the through-channels 96, such as described above, or below.
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Additionally, the thread retainer 130 may be positioned within a lower portion of the through-channel 142. The thread retainer 130 is configured to be compressively sandwiched between the inner walls of the fastener tube 126 and the shaft of the fastener 137. For example, the thread retainer 130 may be formed of a resilient material configured to be compressed into the threads of a screw.
While examples of the retention securing members are shown as flaps, tabs, barbs, clasps, and the like, the retention securing members may include one protrusion, or a series of inwardly directed protrusions, such as teeth, flaps, tabs, and the like circumferentially spaced around the through-holes or through-channels. The retention securing members may include any structure that extends into a through-hole or through-channel that is configured to securely engage a fastener shaft.
The bar clamp assembly 200 includes gussets or braces 208 that integrally join the securing bases 204 to the bar clamp 202. The braces 208 extend along the length of the securing bases 204 and integrally connect to the bar clamp, thereby forming an arch-shape. The braces 208 provide added strength to the bar clamp assembly 200, thereby bracing against warping or breaking at inner joints 210.
A side clip 212 is positioned around a fastener tube 206 such that the tube engagement portion 213 is positioned around the fastener tube 206, while the bar clamp securing arms 214 secure to the bar clamp 202. As such, the side clips 212 provide additional bracing support to the bar clamp assembly 200.
Angled braces 238 integrally connect the securing bases 234 to the bar clamp 232. Similar to the braces 208 shown in
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While the bar clamp assembly 300 is shown having a securing tab 310 inwardly extending from each angled brace 312, more or less securing tabs 310 than those shown may be used. Additionally, the compression tubes 308 may or may not include the ridges 312.
Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a robust and sturdy bar clamp assembly that does not include weakened areas, such as welded areas. The various fastener retention members ensure that fasteners are secured within the fastener through-holes or through-channels. Additionally, features such as the support washers and braces prevent the bar clamp assemblies from warping or breaking at the unions or junctions between bar clamps and securing bases. Moreover, because embodiments of the present invention provide bar clamp assemblies that may be integrally formed from a single piece of extruded or molded material, the bar clamp assemblies may not include any welded portions.
It is to be understood that terms such as top, bottom, above, below, lower, and upper are relative terms. While these terms have been used to describe embodiments of the invention, such terms are merely used with respect to the drawings. That is, the orientations described may be inverted depending on the placement of the various bar clamp assemblies shown and described.
Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A bar clamp assembly configured to be secured to a structure through a fastener, the bar clamp assembly comprising:
- a bar clamp;
- a securing base integrally formed with said bar clamp, said securing base being configured to receive and retain the fastener; and
- a fastener retention member that is at least one of on and within said securing base, said fastener retention member configured to secure the fastener in said securing base.
2. The bar clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein said securing base comprises a fastener tube extending therefrom, said fastener tube defining a fastener through-channel, wherein said fastener retention member extends into said fastener through-channel, and wherein the fastener is securely retained within said fastener through channel by said fastener retention member exerting a gripping force into the fastener.
3. The bar clamp assembly of claim 2, wherein said bar clamp and said fastener tube are extruded from a single piece of material, wherein a portion of said single piece of material is rolled to form said fastener tube.
4. The bar clamp assembly of claim 2, wherein said fastener tube is woven together through interlocking members.
5. The bar clamp assembly of claim 2, wherein said fastener tube comprises a tube shaft that is at least one of tapered and crimped in order to engage a surface of a fastener shaft.
6. The bar clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein said fastener retention member comprises at least one inwardly-directed protrusion.
7. The bar clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein said fastener retention member comprises a series of inwardly-directed lobes.
8. The bar clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein said fastener retention member comprises an oval passage with a keyed mid-section.
9. The bar clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein said fastener retention member comprises at least one canted member, wherein said at least one canted member extends out of a plane of said securing base.
10. The bar clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein said securing base comprises a flat fastener strap integrally formed with said bar clamp, said flat fastener strap defining a fastener through-hole, and wherein said fastener retention member extends into said fastener through-hole.
11. The bar clamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising a support washer mounted over said securing base and abutting said bar clamp, said support washer bracing the bar clamp assembly.
12. The bar clamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising a longitudinal rib extending over at least one of said bar clamp and said securing base.
13. The bar clamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising an epoxy layer that adhesively secures the fastener to said securing base.
14. The bar clamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising a flange retainer configured to securely mount to a flange of the fastener, wherein said flange retainer is also configured to secure the fastener in said securing base.
15. The bar clamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising a thread retainer configured to securely mount to a threaded shaft of the fastener, wherein said thread retainer is also configured to secure the fastener in said securing base.
16. The bar clamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one brace positioned between said securing base and said bar clamp.
17. The bar clamp assembly of claim 16, wherein said at least one brace comprises at least one securing tab configured to abut against a fastening member positioned within said securing base.
18. The bar clamp assembly of claim 17, wherein said fastening member comprises a compression tube and a raised ridge configured to engage said at least one securing tab.
19. The bar clamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one support clip positioned between said securing base and said bar clamp.
20. A bar clamp assembly configured to be secured to a structure through a fastener, the bar clamp assembly comprising:
- a bar clamp;
- a securing base integrally formed with said bar clamp, said securing base being configured to receive and retain the fastener; and
- at least one support member positioned between said securing base and said bar clamp, wherein said at least one support member is configured to prevent stress fatigue between said bar clamp and said securing base.
21. The bar clamp assembly of claim 20, wherein said at least one support member is a brace integrally formed between said bar clamp and said securing base.
22. The bar clamp assembly of claim 20, wherein said securing base comprises one of a fastener tube extending therefrom and a flat fastener strap integrally formed with said bar clamp, each of said fastener tube and said flat fastener strap defining a fastener through-channel.
23. A bar clamp assembly configured to be secured to a structure through first and second fasteners, the bar clamp assembly comprising:
- a bar clamp;
- first and second securing bases integrally formed with said bar clamp, said first and second securing bases being configured to receive and retain the first and second fasteners, respectively;
- a first support member positioned between said first securing base and said bar clamp, wherein said first support member is configured to prevent stress fatigue between said bar clamp and said first securing base;
- a second support member positioned between said second securing base and said bar clamp, wherein said second support member is configured to prevent stress fatigue between said bar clamp and said second securing base;
- a first fastener retention member that is at least one of on and within said first securing base, said first fastener retention member configured to secure the first fastener in said first securing base; and
- a second fastener retention member that is at least one of on an within said second securing base, said second fastener retention member configured to secure the second fastener in said second securing base.
24. The bar clamp assembly of claim 23, wherein said first and second securing bases comprise first and second fastener tubes, respectively, said first and second fastener tubes defining first and second fastener through-channels, respectively, wherein said first and second fastener retention members extend into said first and second fastener through-channels, respectively, and wherein the first and second fasteners are securely retained within said first and second fastener through channels by said first and second fastener retention members exerting a gripping force into the first and second fasteners.
25. The bar clamp assembly of claim 23, wherein said first and second securing bases comprise a first and second flat fastener straps, respectively, integrally formed with said bar clamp, said first and second flat fastener straps defining first and second fastener through-holes, respectively, and wherein said first and second fastener retention members extend into said first and second fastener through-holes, respectively.
26. The bar clamp assembly of claim 23, further comprising first and second flange retainers configured to secure the first and second fasteners in said first and second securing bases, respectively.
27. The bar clamp assembly of claim 23, further comprising first and second thread retainers configured to secure the first and second fasteners in said first and second securing bases, respectively.
28. The bar clamp assembly of claim 23, wherein said first and second fastener retention members comprise first and second fastener retention knurls, respectively, configured to be positioned around the first and second fasteners, respectively.
29. The bar clamp assembly of claim 23, wherein said first and second support members comprises first and second gussets, respectively, positioned between said securing base and said bar clamp.
30. The bar clamp assembly of claim 23, further comprising at least one support clip positioned between said securing base and said bar clamp.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 2, 2006
Publication Date: May 31, 2007
Inventors: Jason Trotter (Des Plaines, IL), Robert Dutzi (Palatine, IL), Dennis Mark (Palatine, IL), Jeremy Beck (Evanston, IL)
Application Number: 11/497,619
International Classification: F16L 3/00 (20060101);